Saturday, January 29, 2011

Waxed Fruit


Well I waxed some plastic fruit for the first time.  Not what I envisioned, but I think they turned out okay.  I'm happy with them.  I use the same method that I use when grunging my candles (the tut link is on my sidebar).

First, I started off with the bags of plastic fruit from Hobby Lobby.  $5.99, on sale half price for $2.99.  A bag of 16 pears and a bag of 16 apples equals out to 19 cents for each piece of fruit so if it doesn't work out, I'm not out much money.  I also bought 3 pineapples at the Dollar Tree but they are still a work in progress.

I didn't have coffee grounds so I added some coarse pepper to the wax pot.  Yep, pepper.  Honestly, it worked out great.  I used old Scentsy wax.  It was so strong that you couldn't even smell the pepper, haha!  See the texture forming?

I was impatient and just threw them on the mat as they came out of the wax like I do my candles.  But guess what... you have this when you do that...

So, after scraping that off, I threw them in the wax again for a second coat.  I tried just throwing them in the wax like they are, but the bump was still there.  They were still warm so it was easy to scrape it off.  Then they went for a cinnamon/nutmeg mix bath.

Side note:  I bought this 6.5 oz jar of cinnamon at the Dollar Tree!  That was exciting, now I don't have to dip into my cooking stash.

Look at the pears, aren't they so cute?  The fruit covers well and the texture looks great on them!

Two wax dips.
Spice dip.
Another wax dip.
Another spice dip.
One last wax dip.
Once they slightly cooled, I didn't dip them but lightly rubbed the spice mixture on them.


Here's how the pears turned out.

The flash made the apples look so much more red than they are.  They are actually more brown than that.

See the cute little rusty star on the one apple?  Well, the whole inspiration for waxed fruit came from the Early Spring '11 issue of The Country House.  I borrowed this picture from their website, aren't these just the cutest?  

Yours for only $15.99 for a set of 4.  Not a bad price, but my Dave Ramsey budget doesn't allow it.  So I dug out these sets of rusty star and heart garland that I bought at Hobby Lobby after Christmas at 80% off.  For 40 cents a package, I got quite a few little stars and hearts once I used my wire cutters and snipped the wire off each one.

I had a tough time getting my stars to bend just perfectly around the apples.  Then I pulled up their picture on the website to get a closer look and their stars aren't on tight.  I really like the brown colors of my fruit but the rusty star just blends in too much so I painted it black.  I think I am going to just put black stars on the larger fruits and leave the smaller ones alone.  What would you do if you were making them?

As always, thanks for your visit!  Don't forget my giveaway ends in a couple of days.

31 comments:

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

I love how they turned out..:) very prim indeed.;)

Farmhouse prims said...

I love how your fruit turned out Angie, Awesome!!! You did a great job!!!

Anonymous said...

Love how they turned out girl!!!!! You did a great job on them.I'll have to try it out myself....Wishing you a Blessed Day..Hugs Maria

Debbie said...

They turned out great Angie! I love the rusty stars on the apples!

*hugs*
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Girl...you have outdone yourself!!...I loooove these...especially with the black star...oh how I wish I would have gone to HL after xmas to get those garlands!! boohoo. The pineapples should look great too...I'll have to make a trip to DT.
ps I love your sweet pillow header...very cute!!
patti :)

Patti said...

WOW!!! AWESOME..you are so amazing..I love what you did with these...so cool! You are a PRIM MARTHA STEWART :)
~Patti~

Valley Primitives Gift Shoppe said...

What a great idea. I love how they turned out and I think I am going to give this a try!
Kim

Angela said...

Wow! I love the waxed fruit. That is such a great idea. Thanks for sharing the information with us. I might have to visit Hobby Lobby today.

Donna~One Simple Country Girl said...

These look great Angie! I like the black star you added to the apple. I've never seen waxed fruit done before. (yeah, I know, I'm way behind the times!)
Hugs,
Donna

Tins and Treasures said...

Good Morning, Angie,
You are a very ambitious girl. I love the little rusty stars too. I use them on lots of things!

Have a fabulouse weekend. ~Natalie

BumbleBeeLane said...

They look great.I've made them before but never thought to put stars.I really like the apples.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Rhonda Perry Maynor said...

These are great. You did an awesome job...Thanks so much for shariing...Who would have thought that we could do this with that ugly plastic fruit...I have thrown so much away..in the past..not anymore.:)

My Colonial Home said...

Hi Angie,
How very creative....and they look just wonderful.

I think I like the rusty star....hey, here's an idea...what if you put the star on just before the LAST wax coating - it will adhere the star even better and look like it blends in with the fruit...try one once.

I LOVE ALL OF YOURS AND THINK THEY LOOK 'BETTER' THAN THE MAGAZINE ONES.
Karen

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Angie! Those are so stinking cute!!!!! Now I want to dip faux fruit, too! I have been dipping everything and loving it! The stars are the bomb and I think Karen is right. Try dipping again after the star is on. I think I'm addicted to this. lol
Have a super weekend!
★Linda★
Did you check out my Belsnickles?

Dana~HomespunTreasures said...

Great job Angie!!! I LOVE these! :)

Blessings,
Dana

dee begg said...

Love the addition of the stars. So prim.

D

Brenda said...

Those are great Angie...what an awesome idea!! I like the stars on the bigger ones!

Brenda

Gayle said...

Wow Angie - How clever are YOU? You did a great job on a really fun project! I must admit that I've never dabbled in anything wax, but I might just be getting the itch to try after seeing what you've done here!

Anonymous said...

Angie,
The fruit turned out great!! Love how they look!! I like them both ways...with and without the star. I have those same little rusty garlands from Hobby Lobby...I got mine when they were 50% off, but you really got a deal at 80% off!!
~Cindy~

Friendship Crossing said...

Angie girl! Those look amazing and I love how you stay within your budget too! They turned out great and I like the star on the bigger ones and think I'd leave off the smaller ones.

What a super cool idea! Great job girlfriend! LOL

Tanya

Anonymous said...

what a timely post...I've been on the lookout for some plastic fruit..we don't have a Hobby Lobby here so am looking at thrift shops...the ones at Michaels are way too much...wish me luck!

Pokey said...

I just don't get out enough, I've never seen anything like your fruit, but it is awfully cute, Angie! I may need to go shopping, now that you've shared the process with me. Thanks!
:-}pokey

Michelle said...

Wow Angie, That was a great deal on the fruit. I will have to watch for them to go on sale next time and get some and try it! Great job,]I forgot if you entered my giveaway, if not hurry!
xoxo

Hillcresthome Prims said...

Angie, I love your fruit that you made. You are talent my friend!! I would have NEVER thought of that!
I would love to enter in your giveaway!!!It is perfect for the YUCKY winter Blues that I an sure everyone is having!

Prim Blessings my friend,
Tricia

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Thanks for sharing...
They turned out great...
sandraallen260@centurytel.net

Karen ~ Life In A Primitive English Cottage said...

Love the fruits, you did a fantastic job there Angie, you should be real proud of yourself,
Blessings,
Karen

michelle said...

I totally agree with Karen,they look better than the magazines!you go girl!dip away!have a great week and I do love your pillow!blessings and hugs michelle

Primsue said...

They are awesome, Angie! You did a great job! Thanks for sharing the process.

Blessings,
Sue

Screaming Sardine said...

Those are beautiful, Angie. Now I see that fake fruit actually DOES have a purpose in life - to be primmed up!

I personally like the black star better, but the rust colored ones look fine, too.

Sabrina @Falling Leaf Woodworkers and Primitives said...

Those came out awsome... I might just have to try that. Great Job, Thanks for sharing
Sabrina

Unknown said...

Angie I am glad you always stop in to my blog than I jump right over here to see what your posting up!!! I do totally love your work and blog. You not only tell us how to do great projects but you always show us where to get great deals.